American Graduate Task Force Meeting April 26, Meeting Recap

Transcription

1 Task Force Meeting Meeting Recap The meeting was convened by Linda Williams, Senior Director, Community Engagement & Education, who welcomed Task Force members and introduced members of ideastream s executive leadership team, Kevin Martin, President and CEO, and Sylvia Strobel, COO. Kevin Martin and Sylvia Strobel welcomed Task Force members on behalf of ideastream, indicating that this endeavor is to serve as a model for the nation, with respect to the statewide collaborative and innovative programming that will be produced as a result of this project. Background of the initiative and an overview of the current phase of the program, : Getting to Work, was provided by Linda Williams. Task Force members introduced themselves and indicated both the organization they represent and the role they feel they can fill as this advisory committee develops. Celena Roebuck, Manager, Community Engagement & Education provided a brief presentation regarding the : Getting to Work initiative and ideastream s role as convener, producer, and curator, of workforce development discussions, content, and events. Task Force members engaged in discussion regarding the challenges facing each of the five Content Themes: Career Pathways, Connecting Job Seekers to Networks, Barriers to Job Seekers, Innovative Career Education Models, and Mentorship. o Career Pathways Development of Soft Skills People Need to Apply Need More Opportunities for Internships & Co-ops Need More Earn & Learn Opportunities People Need to Support Themselves While Earning Credentials Needed for Key Opportunity Jobs Need to Understand Degree Programs Need to Move into Action Steps to Make Changes Toward Careers

2 Task Force Meeting o Connecting Job Seekers to Networks How to Access Networks o Barriers to Job Seekers Insufficient Resources to Receive Training (i.e. Lack of Funds) Advocacy Groups & Individual Job Seekers Child Care Transportation Lack of Guidance Regarding Career Education and Pathways Incarceration / Employment Eligibility Communication Gaps Seekers Can t Find Jobs Lack of Connection to Networks Discussion was also held regarding the following topics o Awareness Lack of Understanding for Job Seekers Regarding What Jobs Are Available Lack of Understanding for Employers Who Need to Access Job Seekers / Networks Need to Start Career Education Earlier in School Is High School Too Late? Some School Districts Starting in 4 th Grade Mentorship is Key o Mindset I Need To Own My Success Job Seekers Want Jobs, but Do Not Have the Mindset to Accomplish This Task Alone o False Messaging / Uninformed Messaging Students Choosing Not to Pursue Post-Secondary Training Do Not Have Required Skills for the Jobs They Desire Career Tech Has a Branding Issue Stigma of being for Those Kids is Archaic. Using Outdated Levels/Language of Technical School Time to Rebrand

3 Task Force Meeting o Low Value Post-Secondary Education Credentials Associates Degree in General Studies without Follow Up to a 4-Year Degree Does Not Constitute Workforce Readiness Lack of Counseling / Guidance / Mentorship Compounds Problems o Employer Needs Challenges Finding Skilled Employees Who Are Eligible for Employment (Incarceration plays a major role) Disconnect Between Employer Needs and Human Resources Guidelines Prevents Hiring Skilled Workers with Prior Convictions o Job Seeker Needs Need to Work and Obtain Credentials Simultaneously Employment Competencies Digital Literacy Skills Training The meeting concluded with all Task Force members being asked to submit flyers/information regarding upcoming workforce development events to Christopher.Crawford@ideastream.org for posting on the ideastream In Demand Jobs webpage. Event information will be posted and curated by ideastream as part of the initiative. An Partner Survey will be sent electronically to Task Force members during the week of April 30 May 4, This survey will provide ideastream with a key regional data snapshot that will be contributed as part of a larger data collection initiative geared toward painting a detailed picture of the national workforce development landscape. ideastream s webpage is in development and will eventually house initiative-related content produced by ideastream, CET (Cincinnati), and WOSU (Columbus.) Next Meeting: June 21, :00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

4 Task Force Participants Vince Adamus Vice President, Business and Real Estate Development Greater Cleveland Partnership Holly Harris Bane President Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education (NOCHE) Anthony Battaglia Director, Career and College Readiness Cleveland Metropolitan School District Kim McIntosh Breyley Editor Fontanelle Group, Inc. Middlefield Post Robert J. Dawson Executive Director Lake County Workforce Development Board William H. Gary Sr. Executive Vice President, Workforce Community and Economic Development Cuyahoga Community College Tracy Hill Executive Director, Family and Community Engagement Cleveland Metropolitan School District Ethan Karp President and CEO Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) Grace A. Kilbane Executive Director Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board Dr. Terrence S. Robinson Vice President, Workforce Development and Economics Inclusion Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET) Terri Burgess Sandu Director, Talent and Business Innovation Lorain County Community College Glen Shumate Executive Vice President Construction Employers Association Amanda Shurilla e-learning Product Marketing Specialist Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley Inc. Matt Sinclair Growth Advisor for Small Business Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET)

5 Task Force Participants Meryl Johnson Member, District 11 State Board of Education Jowan Smith Parent Cleveland Metropolitan School District Joe Spiccia Superintendent Wickliffe City School District Michael Stanton Acquisition Manager Team NEO John Skrtic Director of Public Services Cleveland Public Library Ran Sweeney Vice President Ferrotherm, Inc. Anu Yadavalli Business Engagement Coordinator Regional Information Technology Engagement (RITE)

6 Task Force Participants Leadership ideastream Kevin Martin President and CEO Linda J. Williams, Ph.D. Senior Director Community Engagement and Education Celena Roebuck, Ed.D. Manager Community Engagement and Education Christopher Crawford Coordinator Community Engagement and Education Calle Andrus Communications Specialist Sylvia Strobel Chief Operating Officer Mark Rosenberger Chief Content Officer Mike Shafarenko Director Digital Experience Lori Marks Director Philanthropy Pat Miller Communications Specialist